Steaming hay better maximizes nutrient intake and palatability compared to soaking, while also mitigating particulate matter that could irritate airways. undefined The forage a horse eats might be nutritional, but it can pose health problems, especially if high in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) or laden with particulate debris and dust.
Should I steam or soak my horse's hay?
Steaming and soaking hay both reduce the number of particulates that your horse can breathe in and can reduce the “sugar” levels in the hay. Both methods vary a little bit also.
Is it better to soak hay in summer or winter?
The hot days of summer can leave soaked hay rancid, and the cold days of winter can freeze your soaking tub. There will be more hands-on monitoring of hay that’s soaking during weather extremes. What works best for your horse – steaming or soaking hay?
Does Steaming hay reduce mold and dust content?
Steaming shouldn’t replace the main goal of feeding hay with low mold and dust content. In the absence of such hay, steaming is a good practice for reducing mold and dust content in moderately moldy hay. You can use steaming to increase forage intake when feeding low mold hay.
How can I reduce sugar in my horse's hay?
Steaming and soaking hay both reduce the number of particulates that your horse can breath in and can reduce the "sugar" levels in hay. Both methods vary a little bit also.
Is Steaming hay as good as soaking?
However, steaming is beneficial for the hygienic quality of the hay and whereas soaking increases the bacterial presence in hay, steaming reduced bacteria numbers by 98%. So whilst steaming hay for horses deals with the respiratory challenges, it is still recommended to soak hay to remove WSC.
What are the benefits of steaming hay?
Steaming hay kills live mold and increases DMI of low mold hay, compared to soaking. We don't know if there's a benefit to feeding dead versus alive but wet moldy hay to horses. Regardless, neither soaking or steaming should replace the main goal of feeding hay with low mold and dust content.
Does steaming hay get rid of sugars?
Steaming and soaking hay both reduce the number of particulates that your horse can breathe in and can reduce the “sugar” levels in the hay.
How long do you steam hay for?
Steaming hay is so much quicker than waiting hours for hay to soak. Most steamers steam hay in around 30 mins. It's important to note that hay that has been pulled apart or shaken out will steam much more quickly.
Why do farmers steam hay?
Hay steaming is a method of treating hay to reduce the airborne respirable dust which naturally occur in hay, causing respiratory problems in both humans and horses when in close contact.
Is steamed hay good for horses?
Steaming hay reduces bacterial counts almost entirely. This benefits horses with respiratory compromise and may also support a healthier hindgut. “The health of the horse depends largely on the health of the intestinal microbiome.
Can you soak hay for too long?
Don't soak the hay longer or you'll risk leaching beneficial nutrients. Soaking hay to remove sugars that can exacerbate metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance takes more time.
Does steaming hay reduce potassium?
Potassium levels decreased by 41% in the 30-minute soaked hay. Soaked hay had a relative doubling of sodium whereas steamed and dry hay did not. Steamed hay did not experience these mineral changes, and in fact, had increased potassium and no change in sodium.
Does steaming hay lower NSC?
Another problem with feeding soaked hay is it is not palatable, and horses will refuse to eat it. Steaming hay does reduce the NSC levels. But it has the added benefit of maintaining the minerals. In fact, since steaming opens up the fiber matrix of hay, the bioavailability of these minerals is likely enhanced.
Does soaking hay remove sugar?
In addition to removing sugars, soaking also reduces some minerals. Crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations all decrease with soaking.
Does steaming hay make it more palatable?
Greater Palatability Research shows that steamed hay is more palatable than soaked hay. Steaming the hay does not appear to affect palatability when compared to dry hay.
Are hay steamers expensive to run?
How much does Haygain cost to run? The running costs are minimal and you will use considerably less water compared to soaking.
How do you soak hay to remove dust?
The easiest way to feed soaked hay is to put your horse's hay feeding into a small-hole hay net (while still dry) and submerge it in a large container, such as a plastic tote.
How do you use a hay steamer?
1:314:04Haygain Hay Steamer HG 600 | Product Demonstration - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf using loose hay it is advisable to place the sections vertically into the hay container. And packMoreIf using loose hay it is advisable to place the sections vertically into the hay container. And pack tightly. Sprinkling water onto the hay will help conduct the steam efficiently through the hay.
Steaming reduces NSC
Typically done to control dust and mold spores for horses with respiratory problems, steaming is also an effective means of reducing NSC.
Even more favorable results have been revealed
If your hay has a high NSC percentage, don’t despair. Follow the manufacturer instructions for length of steaming time and retest your hay after steaming. Take a look at this study’s results [iv] where the WSC dramatically improved:
Mineral status is maintained
Copper, zinc, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus were not lost by steaming. In fact, since steaming opens up the fiber matrix of hay, the bioavailability of these minerals is likely enhanced.
Bottom line
Steaming makes hay more palatable, it is much easier to perform, and depending on your hay, can significantly improve the WSC level to a point where it is safe to feed free-choice to your horse. Always test your hay before and after treatment.
Soaking Hay
Soaking involves submerging forage in water for between 30 minutes to several hours. The most common reason to soak hay is to reduce the amount of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) present in the forage.
Reducing NSC Content
NSC in hay refers to the carbohydrates that are found within the plant cell and not the cell wall. A hay analysis can tell you the NSC value of your horse’s hay.
Metabolic Horses
Horses with metabolic conditions typically benefit from restricted carbohydrate consumption and soaked hay. [3] Some examples of these conditions include:
Reducing Respirable Particles
Soaking hay also reduces amounts of potentially respirable particulate matter (particles that can be breathed in), including dust, bacteria, mold, fungal spores, and insect fragments.
Disadvantages of Soaking Hay
While soaking hay can have benefits for horses with metabolic concerns or respiratory issues, there are some important points to keep in mind.
Nutrient Loss
Soaking hay reduces levels of several other important nutrients including the macrominerals potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. [7] [8] [9]
Bacterial Growth
Soaking hay can actually increase levels of bacteria present and is less hygienic than steaming. Always use clean water and containers to soak your horse’s hay and feed it soon after removing the hay from water.
My yard
We are a small yard. There is just the 6 of us liveries plus the yard owners 2 who live out all year round. Currently 4 of us are soaking hay and it is a nightmare. There are buckets all over the yard filled to the brim with hay and water and we have to be really careful when emptying them so that any loose hay doesn’t get stuck in the drains.
The benefits of steamed hay
Steaming hay has benefits for your horse, but potentially your pocket too.
Steaming vs Soaking Hay
Soaking is a tried and tested way of reducing dust from hay and helping overweight horses drop some weight. With it being such a cheap method, it can be hard to justify investing in a hay steamer. Well that is until you start looking at some of the differences…
The cost of running a hay steamer
Over the years I have met several yard owners where the unknown of the cost of running and maintaining a hay steamer was one of the main reasons for not investing in one. I reached out to Haygain to try and answer some of these questions.
What about cheaper hay steamers on the market?
I have known people to make their own steamers out of wheelie bins and wallpaper strippers. These have always seemed to be fairly successful. However, wheelie bins aren’t well insulated. So they won’t reach the same high temperatures, especially during the winter months.
Conclusion
Overall, I think if your horse has any dust related problems, investing in a hay steamer is a must, even if you need to make do with one of the cheaper options. If your horse is fine and happy with dry hay or just soaking the occasional dusty bale, I think if you can afford a Haygain, it is definitely worth having.
Quick facts
Steaming shouldn’t replace the main goal of feeding hay with low mold and dust content. In the absence of such hay, steaming is a good practice for reducing mold and dust content in moderately moldy hay. You can use steaming to increase forage intake when feeding low mold hay.
Testing steamed hay
We tested steaming on two alfalfa-orchardgrass mixed hays that were low or moderately moldy. We used six adult horses to evaluate preference of steamed and unsteamed hay. We assigned three horses to each hay type (low or moderately moldy) for five days. On day six, we switched the horses to the other hay type.
Steaming versus soaking hay
You can use steaming or soaking to reduce how much dust and mold your horse breathes in while eating affected hay.